The courts of Khartoum East and Abu Sied in Omdurman on Monday 25 February acquitted six journalists and dismissed the cases filed by the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) for default of complainant and lack of evidence.

The Sudanese Journalists Network, in press statement published on its Facebook page on Monday 25 February revealed the journalists were arrested while carrying out their professional duty of covering peaceful processions, saying they spent long hours in custody during which they were subjected to harassment before they were released on bail.

The Network added that three other journalists were detained while covering the demonstrations and would appear before courts in connection with complaints lodged by NISS, indicating that the recent detentions and complaints represent an extension of practices and violations committed by NISS against the Sudanese press.

Article 39/1 of the Constitution of Sudan provides for the freedom of expression and press, it sates: “every citizen shall have an unrestricted right to the freedom of expression, reception and dissemination of information and publication”, while the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in its Article 19 provides: “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”

Source: Sudanese Journalists Network